In the FCS Huddle: FCS vs. FBS matchups

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Big Ten is preparing to end games
against FCS schools.

Are they running scared?

Well, not quite, but FCS schools are coming off a banner season against FBS
programs, winning 10 matchups - the most since 2003. Included was eventual
national champion North Dakota State claiming an FBS win for the third
straight season.

FCS schools, who are always on the road for the games, hope for more success
this season. Three conferences - the Missouri Valley, Southern and Southland -
have all of their teams playing at least one FBS opponent. Only the non-
scholarship Ivy and Pioneer leagues won't get in on the fun and understandably
so.

Following is a conference-by-conference breakdown of the FCS-vs.-FBS matchups:

BIG SKY

The Matchups (17) - Cal Poly at Fresno State (Sept. 7) and Colorado State
(Sept. 14); Eastern Washington at Oregon State (Aug. 31) and Toledo (Sept.
14); Idaho State at Washington (Sept. 21) and Brigham Young (Nov. 16); Montana
State at SMU (Sept. 7); Northern Arizona at Arizona (Aug. 30); Northern
Colorado at Wyoming (Sept. 14); Portland State at California (Sept. 7);
Sacramento State at San Jose State (Aug. 29) and Arizona State (Sept. 5);
Southern Utah at South Alabama (Aug. 29) and Washington State (Sept. 14); UC
Davis at Nevada (Sept. 7); Weber State at Utah (Sept. 7) and Utah State (Sept.
14)

Dateline, Upset City? - Montana State at SMU (Sept. 7). It will be another
Texas homecoming for some of the Bobcats, including the offensive and
defensive leaders, quarterback DeNarius McGhee and linebacker Na'a Moeakiola,
respectively, who helped lead Trinity High in Euless to a 2008 state title.

Of Note - Four Big Sky teams posted wins over FBS opponents last season:
Eastern Washington (Idaho); Sacramento State (Colorado); Northern Arizona
(UNLV); and Cal Poly (Wyoming) ... Montana State canceled a much anticipated
game at two-time defending FCS national champion North Dakota State to secure
the SMU matchup on Sept. 7.

Dateline, Upset City? - Liberty at Kent State (Aug. 29). If Liberty wants to
be an FBS program, here's a chance for the Flames to show what they have
against an opponent that is trying to prove it is not a one-year wonder.

Of Note - Charleston Southern, 0-13 all-time against FBS opponents, is the
only Big South program to be sitting it out this season. Maybe VMI should sit
it out, too. The Keydets are winless in 27 attempts.

Dateline, Upset City? - James Madison at Akron (Sept. 7). Considering JMU
defeated Virginia Tech in 2010, Akron might need to have LeBron James in the
lineup against the Dukes.

Of Note - Connecticut and Massachusetts were two of the six original members
of the CAA when it was known as the Yankee Conference ... Delaware is 15-11
all-time against FBS opponents, including 7-9 against Navy.

Of Note - ODU is transitioning toward Conference USA on the FBS level next
year. Hence, the five games against FBS competition ... Abilene Christian is
moving up from Division II and toward the Southland Conference next year.

MEAC

The Matchups (11) - Bethune-Cookman at FIU (Sept. 14) and Florida State
(Sept. 21); Florida A&M at Ohio State (Sept. 21); Howard at Eastern Michigan
(Aug. 31); Morgan State at Army (Aug. 30) and Western Kentucky (Sept. 21);
North Carolina Central at Duke (Aug. 31); Norfolk State at Rutgers (Sept. 7);
Savannah State at Troy (Sept. 7) and Miami, Fla. (Sept. 21); South Carolina
State at Clemson (Sept. 7)

Dateline, Upset City? - Bethune-Cookman at FIU (Sept. 14). The Wildcats'
Florida-dominated lineup might feel like the favorite in this matchup. FIU has
had two winning seasons in its 11-year history.

Of Note - To play the "Bull City Gridiron Classic" at Duke, North Carolina
Central only has to make a five-mile trip. Pre-game jog? ... Florida A&M's
visit to Ohio State will net a nifty $850,000 guarantee.

MISSOURI VALLEY

The Matchups (12) - Illinois State at Ball State (Aug. 29); Indiana State at
Indiana (Aug. 29) and Purdue (Sept. 7); Missouri State at Iowa (Sept. 7);
North Dakota State at Kansas State (Aug. 30); Northern Iowa at Iowa State
(Aug. 31); South Dakota at Kansas (Sept. 7); South Dakota State at Nebraska
(Sept. 21); Southern Illinois at Illinois (Aug. 31); Western Illinois at
Minnesota (Sept. 14) and UNLV (Sept. 21); Youngstown State at Michigan State
(Sept. 14)

Dateline, Upset City? - Indiana State at Indiana (Aug. 29). The host Hoosiers
have an entire preseason camp to prepare for Sycamores senior Shakir Bell, but
when it's time to play him, can they stop him from running all over Memorial
Stadium?

Of Note - North Dakota State is 6-3 against FBS opponents since it joined the
FCS in 2006, including a 22-7 triumph at Colorado State last year ... Despite
finishing 3-8 last season, Western Illinois has legitimate hope against UNLV.
The Rebels have lost to an FCS team in each of the past two seasons.

NORTHEAST

The Matchup (1) - Wagner at Syracuse (Sept. 14)

Dateline, Upset City? - Sorry, no chance here.

Of Note - Wagner played an FBS opponent for the first time last season and
nearly pulled an upset, losing, 7-3, at Florida Atlantic.

Dateline, Upset City? - Jacksonville State at Georgia State (Sept. 21). A 1-10
final season in the FCS doesn't bode well for Georgia State's debut on the FBS
level. Jacksonville State won the previous meetings in 2010 and '11.

Of Note - A return to the scene of the crime on Nov. 9: UT Martin beat
Memphis, 20-17, last year at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium ... Just what last-
place Austin Peay and new head coach Kirby Cannon need: three FBS opponents in
their first four games.

Dateline, Upset City? - Chattanooga at Georgia State (Sept. 7). Not to pick on
Georgia State, but Chattanooga should bring an even better team than
Jacksonville State will to the Georgia Dome a week later. The Mocs will go
from playing arguably the worst FBS program to the best, two-time defending
national champion Alabama on Nov. 23.

Of Note - Western Carolina is one of three FCS teams that will play three FBS
opponents (the others are Austin Peay and Nicholls) ... The SoCon, which is
being picked apart, has long been one of the best FCS conferences, but none of
its teams has beaten an FBS team since Appalachian State's historic win over
fifth-ranked Michigan to open the 2007 regular season.

Dateline, Upset City? - Central Arkansas at Colorado (Sept. 7). It's a shame
this game won't be played on the purple-and-gray turf in Conway. The Bears
don't lose there.

Of Note - This will be the second straight season Sam Houston State takes a
shot at Johnny Football, 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, when it
visits Texas A&M ... Pity the running games at the Stephen F. Austin-Texas
Tech game. Last season, SFA led the FCS in passing attempts (679) and Texas
Tech was third in the FBS (594).